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Category Archives: WMD
US Leadership:
Informal conversations with foreign friends and allies usually turn to the question of the coming 2024 election. Our friends and allies have a stake in the direction and constancy of the United States. I deeply value allies and would like … Continue reading
Posted in Allies, NATO, nuclear weapons, Russia, WMD
Tagged Allies, Biden, NATO, Russia
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Things to Consider: Iraq War at 20
Everyone (and their dog) is writing/commenting about the Iraq war 20 years later. I doubt more accuracy is achieved in these tales after 20 years. Everyone seems to think they were central to events. Some of them were.[1] My perspective was also partial, … Continue reading
Posted in Allies, Chemical Weapons, Intelligence, Iran, Iraq, Sunni, Syria CW, United Nations, WMD
Tagged Intelligence, Iran, Iraq, Iraq Survey Group, Iraq War, Saddam Hussein, United Nations, WMD
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Nuclear Weapons and Alcohol Do Not Mix
Lot’s of analysts are creating analyses of Vladimir Putin. What drives him? What are his objectives? Is he psycho? The fact is, no one really knows. Analysis that was likewise wobbly surrounded Saddam in his day. It was off the … Continue reading
Posted in Allies, Intelligence, Lavrov, nuclear weapons, Putin, Ukraine, WMD
Tagged DEFCON 3, Nuclear Alert, Nuclear Weapons, Putin, Russia, Ukraine, WMD
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Putin: Lessons from Saddam
Is Lavrov the New Baghdad Bob? Saddam’s Saddam’s last information minister and a former foreign minister was Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf–better known in Western Press as “Baghdad Bob”. He was ridiculed for his blatant incorrect statements about the American led invasion … Continue reading
Posted in Allies, Intelligence, Iraq, Lavrov, NATO, nuclear weapons, Putin, Russia, Ukraine, WMD
Tagged PutinLavrov, Ukraine
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The New CIA Director
Ambassador William J. Burns is a great and timely choice to head the CIA. He will assure that the Administration has the intelligence collection and analysis for the critical security issues facing the United States. He is a long time … Continue reading
Posted in Allies, China, Cyber Threat, Elections, Intelligence, Iran, Russia, Uncategorized, WMD
Tagged Bill Burns, China, Russia
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Impeachment and Foreign Policy Redux
In February 1998, I was in Baghdad discussing the ongoing disputes between Iraq and the UN weapons inspectors with Saddam’s key deputy Tariq Aziz. (I was the deputy chairman of the UN WMD inspection group called UNSCOM.) It was late … Continue reading
Posted in Iran, Iraq, United Nations, WMD
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Mueller Report – Duelfer Report
A few commentators have made some comparisons between the Mueller Report and report on Iraq WMD in 2004 which was dubbed the Duelfer Report. There are a few similarities and many key differences. Both were produced in a highly charged … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Iraq, Uncategorized, WMD
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Syrian CW Use – Why? There’s a good reason
Many have wondered why Syrian would continue to use chemical munitions recognizing that the international community would condemn such actions. After all, they received some measure of positive recognition when acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 and allowed … Continue reading
Posted in Russia, Syria CW, United Nations, WMD
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Syria CW Use – Why?
The headline news of Syrian use of Sarin last month has faded from memory. Even the US strike against the Syrian base at Khan Sheikhoun seems to have sunk beneath the daily harangue of Trump news. The military strike seems … Continue reading
Posted in ISIS Chemical Weapons, Russia, Syria, Syria CW, United Nations, WMD
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Syria Strike – Before and After – Watch for Russian Action in Ukraine
Putin will respond to action as would be expected. It is a safe bet that Russia will amp up pressure in other areas such as Ukraine. Secretary of State Tillerson, who, with General McMaster put forward a strong case for … Continue reading
Posted in Russia, Syria, Syria CW, United Nations, WMD
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